Back to HI

Kailua-Kona

Hawaii County, HI

STR Investment Grade

Transparent Scoring
D
38/100
⚠️ CAUTION
Score Breakdown
💰Cash-on-Cash
5/35
🏠Affordability
2/25
📅Year-Round Income
15/15
🤝Landlord Friendly
8/10
📈Room to Grow
8/15
Cash-on-Cash
-3.1%
Negative Cash Flow
Median Home
$874K
Very Expensive
Room to Grow
8/15
Limited Headroom
⚠️

STR Regulations Apply

Permit required; zoning restrictions

Hawaii County requires STR permits with zoning compliance. Some areas have caps on new permits.

Permit: HardPermit Cap in Effect
Grade Impact: Base score of 38/100 would be grade D, but capped at D (38/100) due to regulation risk.
Verified data as of February 2026 · Regulations change frequently
📞 How to Verify
Call the Kailua-Kona City Clerk or Planning & Zoning Department and ask:
1. Are short-term rentals (under 30 days) allowed at [your address]?
2. What permits or licenses are required?
3. Are there owner-occupancy requirements?
4. Any caps on rental nights per year or number of permits?
Many cities have active short-term rentals operating legally with permits — restrictions don't always mean it's impossible.

Why Kailua-Kona?

Beach Market

What drives short-term rental demand here

🏖️
Coastal Destination

Beach proximity drives premium nightly rates and strong seasonal demand from vacationers.

⚖️
Balanced Supply

Healthy supply-demand ratio means room for new listings without oversaturation concerns.

Will This Deal Work?

Investment Grade
D
Negative Cash Flow
CoC: -3.1%
Can You Pay the Bills?
Risky
May struggle with payments
THE BOTTOM LINE ⚠️

This market has STR regulations to be aware of. Many hosts operate successfully with proper permits. Research local ordinances before committing.

💵
$326
Avg ADR
📅
65%
Occupancy
💰
$6,357
Monthly Revenue
🏠
$874K
Median Price

Market estimates · Updated Feb 2026

📊 Income by Property Size

Monthly revenue estimates by bedroom count

1BR
$3,496
2BR
$4,767
3BR
$6,357
4BR
$8,581
5BR
$10,489
6BR+
$12,396
⭐ Best

🏠 Top Amenities for This Market

Add these to boost your revenue

MUST HAVEPool
+25%
MUST HAVEOcean View
+20%
HIGH IMPACTBeach Gear
+10%
HIGH IMPACTOutdoor Shower
+8%
NICE TO HAVEBalcony/Deck
+12%

🎯 Your Next Steps

1
Search for 6BR+ properties
Best income potential at $12,396/month
2
Add a Pool
Boost revenue by +25%
3
Target $7,946/month
Top 25% performer income goal

📋 Regulation Status

RegulatedPermit: HardVerified Data

Regulations vary by city and county. Always verify local STR ordinances, permit requirements, and zoning laws before purchasing.

Research Comparable Listings

See active short-term rentals in this market

View Listings on Airbnb

Opens Airbnb.com in a new tab to view real listings and pricing in this market

Take the Next Step

Find homes, agents, and lenders in this market

Opens Zillow.com in a new tab

Want Jeff's Team to Help You Close?

Our coaching students get matched with vetted agents and STR-friendly lenders

Learn More
📊

Run the Numbers on a Property

Free STR calculator with comp data for any address

Ready to Invest?

See how our students earn $2K–$4K/mo from rural Airbnbs — even as first-time investors.

Apply Now

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii is rated D for Airbnb investment with a score of 38/100 (CAUTION). The market has an average daily rate (ADR) of $326, 65% occupancy, and estimated monthly STR revenue of $6,357. Median home value is $873,844 with a cash-on-cash return of -3.1%. STR regulation status: Regulated. Data powered by Edge by Teeco using estimated market data.